Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Tuesday, 10 March 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 16 March 2009. It was answered by Lord Beamish (Labour) on Tuesday, 17 March 2009 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Armed Forces: Leave

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what mechanisms are in place for the granting of home leave to (a) recent recruits and (b) personnel under the age of 18 in the armed forces.

Answer: [holding answer 16 March 2009]: All service personnel have the same basic allocation of leave although recent recruits, including under-18s, may have leave restricted according to the stage of training they are undertaking. Compassionate leave, however, is always accessible on a case by case basis. It should also be noted that under-18s must provide evidence that they will be suitably accommodated while on leave.Personnel in the first three years of full time service are entitled to Get You Home Early Years Scheme which provides assistance (rail warrants or mileage claim) with leave travel up to four times a year.

Secondary information